Fortunately the next-best thing is possible for those who do parkrun...

Well that was a very hard-fought donation. After 2 failures in December I may have had to stop all together had this failed too. I ended up timing out after 15 minutes of a lot of clenching and effort but it was *just* over the weight threshold. #GiveBlood #BloodDonor

Well, at least I had the good manners to wait until after the marathon before injuring myself... #running #ouch

Just realised, I forgot to mention that I completed the Manchester Marathon a couple of weeks back.

4:36:01. Was on for 4:15 but the heat got to me eventually. Was forced to walk the final 5k for fear of a big cramp, some weren't so lucky on that front.

#running #marathon #manchestermarathon

Cheers! That post was more tongue-in-cheek, but that definitely would have been sub-22 if I hadn't been caught in early traffic. I'll have to give Battersea another try in the next few weeks

Two-two-two-two at Tooting. Yeah that's never going to be topped, time to stop running #parkrun

I made the eternal mistake of reading the comments. Honestly, I've hardly been on my bike over the past couple of years, given my risk tolerance has dropped significantly since becoming a dad.

With the way society is now regarding roads and transport, I'm once again tempted to just sell it.

I'm sorry I missed you! If that's where I suspect it is, in the final mile or so towards the city centre, I was an absolute wreck stumbling on and trying to avoid cramp blowout! Thank you for supporting us all!

🏳️‍⚧️

All done in 3:23, about 45 minutes quicker than last year. My legs were on fire at the end of that, and I hit the wall at about 30km but overall I'm very happy with that. Just need to sort out some questions of fuelling, I'd loaded myself with too much sugar to take gels.

First sight of the finish line. 10km to go

Halfway

Time for the big one, Titchfield Gyratory

A third of the way there and just gone past the temple-esque Kams Palace

Just under half an hour to get out of the city

There's always something a bit special about going over the Itchen Bridge

It's that time again. The final long run before the marathon. Bargate to Spinnaker once again

a man with red hair and a beard is standing in the woods ALT: a man with red hair and a beard is standing in the woods

1:52:32, with a negative split. Mission accomplished.

Race day at the Southampton Half Marathon tomorrow and it's the first time in years that I've written one of these out.

My training for Manchester has given me big hopes, 1:55 is my goal but I'll be happy with just a new PB. 1:50 is my stretch goal if I'm feeling particularly good.

I note the memory icons over Tuft Mountain / Lover's Pond... 🤔

I'd mainly be interested in her perspective of her new home of Hateno Village, and the throne room of Hyrule Castle given she seems so reluctant to take the crown. But as mentioned, a *lot* of potential lore to mine through.

Gee whiz, I sure am excited about experiencing my third once-in-a-generation financial crisis in the space of 17 years...

We are soooo back 🏏 #CountyChampionship

It's half midnight on a school night but it's still the right time to raise a glass.

Here's to you, Choco. Thanks for the music and some superb weekends over the years. I hope you're feeling more comfortable now, sorry I didn't get round to saying "hi" one last time.

さようなら.

Those final few kilometres were very tough. 30km nonstop before my first walking break would be amazing and would beat my 25km at London last year. I don't think I'm capable of running the full 42km nonstop yet

Hoo boy. The final stages of marathon training are here it's really kicking me. On the plus side, I ran 30km this afternoon in a personal best time. On the downside, I've been in bed since about 5pm and I really don't want to get out of it.

The experience of running at Southampton #parkrun with a buggy in a single Strava screenshot.

Fast forward to 6:15, I'm up early, off to London & still tired from only 6 hours sleep.

Oh no, she's on the bus this morning as well and just as loud.

I'm not religious, & no issue with people who are. Just please don't express in the most obnoxious fashion possible to do so at stupid-o'clock...

I've found something more annoying than someone blasting loud music on the bus. Preachers.

There was a lady on the bus yesterday evening shouting her sermon from the bottom deck. Having just run 10 miles at training I was feeling knackered and not exactly receptive to converting.

And there's nothing more beautiful than a Strava map that looks like this

They don't call the Eastleigh 10k "the home of the PB" for nothing. That's a whopping 3 minutes 47 seconds shaved off my previous PB from last September. I really wasn't expecting sub-45 to come into view so soon! #running #10k #Eastleigh10k